Off road

Chery is tapping a local engineering firm to sharpen its incoming Stockman ute into a real-life Toyota HiLux and BYD Shark 6 smasher.Aussie outfit Premcar, which already turns Nissan Patrols and Navaras into 4WD beasts, will undertake extensive local testing and validation to get the Stockman ready for Aussie roads and adventures.Chery Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris previously said the brand had one chance to get the ute right, and it appears it is throwing everything but the kitchen sink at it to make it a proper success."Australia is one of the world's most demanding ute markets, and we know our customers expect a vehicle that performs confidently across everything from urban streets to highways, construction sites and remote off-road tracks," said Harris.Premcar boss Bernie Quinn said Chery had very clear vision on what it wanted from its Stockman ute.“Chery has gone the extra mile with its first-ever Stockman ute,” he said.The move to undertake a comprehensive ride and handling program is a change of course for the brand, which previously told CarsGuide it doesn’t need to tune its cars in Australia to get a better result.“I think as long as we have the intelligent and educated input, whether we do that work in China or Europe or North America is irrelevant,” Harris said previously.“As long as the request is right of the spec we want and how we want it to behave and then a local validation of whether we got what we asked for. You don’t need a facility here to do that.”The importance of getting the Stockman right for Aussies appears to have changed that.The Stockman is due to go on sale by the end of the year, and will be powered by a diesel plug-in hybrid set-up. Not even Toyota - the master of diesel utes and hybrids - has delivered this set-up.The Stockman combines a 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine with an electric motor to deliver 350kW and 800Nm sent to all four wheels.It can drive up to 100km under electric-only power, but this is calculated via the more lenient NEDC test cycle. Expect closer to 80km when tested to the benchmark WLTP cycle.A petrol plug-in version will join the range in 2027.The Stockman will be a proper work truck, with leaf spring rear suspension paired with more sophisticated double wishbone hardware up front.It will have a 750kg unbraked and 3500kg braked towing capacity. Chery has not revealed payload yet.The Stockman will wear all terrain tyres as standard and will have 247mm of ground clearance.It is a big unit measuring 5450mm long, 2010 wide and 1890 tall. It’s wheelbase is a large 3250mm. The tub is 1560mm long, 1560mm wide and 500mm high.Chery has also previously said it would have front, centre and rear diff locks, and it should have low gearing for proper off-roading.

An uncamouflaged version of the new Nissan Patrol Y63 has been spied on the city streets of Melbourne, Victoria ahead of an expected launch in either late 2026 or early 2027.The only thing covered up on this vehicle are the Nissan badges front and rear, though it’s very clearly a new Patrol.The vehicle is clearly right-hand drive and appears to be a high-spec example due to the large alloy wheels. In the UAE this trim level is called the LE Platinum City.It’s expected this Patrol is a test and evaluation prototype. It appears to have been out on gravel or dirt roads as the back and sides are dirty.The Y63 Patrol most notably ditches the Y62’s 5.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine for a V6 petrol.Globally there are two V6 petrol engines available, a 3.8-litre naturally aspirated V6 and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6. The latter engine is what’s expected to be offered in Australia.In standard form, the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine produces 317kW and 700Nm, which is 19kW and 140Nm more than the outgoing Y62’s V8. However, the high-performance Nismo version bumps power to 369kW.There is still a nine-speed automatic transmission and drive is sent through a full-time four-wheel drive system.Compared to the outgoing model, the Y63 Patrol is built on a new platform, is slightly larger and has a boxier look, plus there are larger screens inside and the capability for higher-tech advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).Nissan Australia hasn’t confirmed official details or specifications for the Y63 Patrol just yet.However, given the spied prototype appears to show a high-spec model, it’s likely to come Down Under.The current Y62 Patrol is available in Ti, Ti-L and Warrior trim levels in Australia. The latter receives a number of special touches from Melbourne-based engineering firm, Premcar.At this stage it’s unclear whether Nissan plans to engage with Premcar to create a hardcore version of the new Y63 Patrol.However, there is an off-road-focused Pro-4X version available globally and that may come to Australia. It may form the basis of the new Warrior eventually.Nissan confirmed that production of the outgoing Y62 Patrol is set to cease globally in August, with the Aussie-tuned Warrior version wrapping up soon after.“The Patrol has been a constant presence in Australian motoring, and the Y62 has played a defining role in that legacy,” said Nissan Oceania Managing Director Steve Milette in June 2026.“Its 5.6-litre V8 is part of what has made this generation so beloved by enthusiasts, families and adventurers alike.“As we look ahead to the all-new to Australia Y63 later this year, the run-out of the Y62 represents a genuine ‘last chance’ moment for Australians who want to add a new V8 Patrol to their garage.”More details on the upcoming Y63 Patrol are expected to drop imminently ahead of its Australian launch either in late 2026 or early 2027.

The Ineos Grenadier range has undergone some substantial changes. The steering has been tweaked and the driver-assist tech upgraded as has the air-con system. This body-on-frame 4WD has live axles, a dual-range transfer case and a stack of other features aimed at turning any driver into an off-road expert. The Grenadier in Trialmaster spec even has front, centre and rear diff locks.

Since the day the first Ram Truck arrived in Australia it feels like there has been a growing chorus of people looking to get US-style pickups (or utes, as we call them) banned.Some have argued they are simply too big for Australian roads, but the primary reason for this has been safety.ANCAP in particular has taken an interest in US utes, creating a specific testing program to assess the merits of the Active Driver Safety Assistance (ADAS) systems of the likes of the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra and Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series.The concern from ANCAP and other anti-American ute campaigners is that these bigger vehicles create a more dangerous environment for pedestrians and cyclists. But I find this argument a bit strange and, frankly, the entire movement against these types of vehicles potentially opens up the question of mandating what people can and can’t drive - which is very problematic in my personal opinion.Now, don’t get me wrong, I would not like a Tundra to crash into me crossing the street. But I also wouldn’t want a Toyota Yaris to run over me either. I’m sure the Tundra might do a bit more damage, but I feel like any impact between car and pedestrian is going to leave the pedestrian worse off.But the last time I checked our roads were filled with light trucks, like the Fuso Canter, Iveco Daily and Hino 300 Series as well as the odd heavy truck and the occasional bus (sarcasm intended). Obviously there is a difference between a bus and a pickup truck in terms of its role within society, but simply saying one is a danger to our roads while ignoring the other is disingenuous, at best.Why is it ok for someone to drive a Canter for their delivery business but not drive an F-150 for a weekend away camping when they have to tow a large caravan. Or why are we ok with someone driving a Hino in the city but not a Tundra pulling a horse float.To be fully transparent, I don’t really like these types of utes. I don’t think they make a lot of sense if you live in a major city. My brother used to live in Oklahoma and every driveway had some sort of Tundra/Silverado/1500/F-150 and they made perfect sense there. The roads are nice and wide and every shop has US-sized parking lots, and very few are multi-storey parking either.I am the definition of a ‘city-slicker’, I've spent my entire life in the city and suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne, and I have no caravan, horse float or similar that requires towing, so the idea of trying to live with such a big ute makes no sense to me.When I have tested these utes, even living with them for a week is challenging, because they simply do not fit everywhere. I find myself googling the maximum height of every car park I plan on visiting - and they don’t always fit.But while they aren’t for me, I find the very idea of banning or even campaigning against a car because it doesn’t suit your personal lifestyle a dangerous path to tread. Obviously the government needs to dictate certain safety requirements, but I don’t think many of us want the government saying what size of car we are allowed to drive.Because by that logic, and the argument that US utes are more dangerous than Australian-sized ones, then SUVs should be a major focus of safety groups. The modern SUV is designed for urban use, not going off-road like the original concept. A Toyota Yaris does the exact same job as a Yaris Cross but is taller and therefore, arguably, not as safe for pedestrians. Something like a BMW X5 is obviously taller and has a bigger frontal area than a 5-Series sedan. So why aren’t we banning urban-focused SUVs?Because nobody wants to be told what they can and can’t drive, it leads us down a slippery slope of government over-regulation and ultimately denies us choice depending on our lifestyle and needs.So before you throw stones at a US-sized ute, take a look at what’s in your driveway…

Is a 2006 Toyota HiLux with the 4.0-litre V6 any good?

The Aussie ute market may have expanded dramatically in terms of choice but has a proliferation of new options upset the established order when it comes to sales?In recent years the Ford Ranger has been the top-selling ute in the country with the Toyota HiLux snapping at its heels and the Isuzu D-Max there or there-abouts.In late 2024 the BYD Shark 6 arrived to mix things up with its petrol-electric hybrid powertrain challenging the traditional dominance of turbo-diesel propulsion.And a few months later, after a high-profile pre-launch teaser campaign, the Kia Tasman hit local showrooms with the aim of muscling past top order players like the Mitsubishi Triton, GWM Cannon, Mazda BT-50 and Nissan Navara.Since then, we’ve seen newcomers like the MG U9, the all-new Foton Tunland and LDV Terron 9. And soon enough they’ll be joined by the Chery Stockman, JAC Hunter and a likely dual-cab from Hyundai.But has the category’s expansion fundamentally changed anything?There are now a staggering 25 ute options in the local new car market, including two- and four-wheel drive models as well as large, US-style pick-ups.And at the half way mark in 2026 the usual suspects remain at the top of the leader board.No big surprise that the podium contenders have shed some volume but the Ford Ranger is still out-selling the BYD Shark 6 by a ratio of three to one. There have been explosive year-on-year gains recorded by selected newcomers, but that’s been from modest starting bases. However, several evergreen models lower down the list have taken a sizable backwards turn, including the Nissan Navara (-46.5 per cent), Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series (-65.5 per cent), JAC T9 (-51.8 per cent) and Jeep Gladiator (-56.3 per cent).In total, year-on-year sales to June 30 this year for 4x2 utes are flat, 4x4s are down just over 11 per cent and the big pick-ups haven’t budged a millimetre.Here’s our rundown of utes sales, using industry statistician VFacts data to combine all ute categories into a single readout comparing H1 2026 to the same period last year.Light commercial, pick-up & cab chassis sales ranking (June 2026 YTD)   

A chunky little SUV with more-than-usual off-road capability has achieved something few have ever been able to achieve consistently – attract more genuinely new customers than returning ones.The Renault Duster has cracked the sales conquest code that is considered the Holy Grail by every manufacturer, with up to three-out-of-four buyers for the little off-roader new to the carmaker in Australia.According to Renault Australia General Manager, Glen Sealey, this turns the usual ratio on its head, meaning the small SUV will bide well for the longevity of the product in this country.“With Duster it’s almost all conquest,” he revealed to CarsGuide.“For Symbioz (a larger mid-sized SUV coming to Australia in the final quarter of this year to act as an indirect replacement to the now-discontinued larger Koleos SUV), we see greater loyalty.“That’s because the Renault customer of the last 10 years is expecting a higher level of premium, whereas Duster customers are happy with what they've got.”This reflects the series’ massive success in Europe since the original Duster was launched to acclaim as a tough, basic crossover in 2010, where it is built and sold by Renault’s Dacia value brand from Romania using many off-the-shelf parts (namely from the Clio) to keep prices down.Sealey admits that the Duster still has some way to go, with only around 300 units sold in Australia so far this year, compared to well-over 10,000 registrations for the similarly priced Hyundai Kona.“It's going to take some time for that vehicle to find its place in the marketplace,” he concedes.“But we do see the people that didn't buy Duster would buy Symbioz. It's all conquest. More than any other car we've got. Which is a good thing. Brings new people to the brand.”Reasons for the Duster’s broad appeal is its accessible pricing, chunky styling, versatile and hardy interior, handy extra ground clearance and off-road-enhancing technology in the optional 4WD model.This positions this Renault model halfway between every other small SUV like the Chery Tiggo 4 and tough, proper off-road mini 4WD Suzuki Jimny – something that the French brand has been keen to exploit.“I'd say we're not unhappy with Duster,” Sealey added. “We're very conscious that Duster walks into a very competitive market.“If I look at (the Suzuki) Jimny, it took 21 years before it actually started to sell any volume. Duster is a new nameplate for a smaller brand in a very crowded market place.“We think Duster will continue to grow and we think it’s going to find its space,” Sealey believes.“And what we've seen, from every person who's bought one, is that they love it. They love the fact that it's fun to drive. It delivers a very honest and unique driving experience. Absolutely, and that (sales growth) will happen like that. But and it will be osmosis.”

Mercedes-Benz has given the first glimpse of the upcoming G-Class Cabriolet with its roof folded down, hinting the convertible luxury off-roader’s arrival is imminent.In December last year Mercedes-Benz announced that it would be bringing its G-Class Cabriolet back after the previous version had been discontinued in 2013. The images that were released officially at the time were of a camouflage Cabriolet model with the folding roof in place. Now Mercedes-Benz has released a series of teasers on its social media accounts showing the G-Class Cabriolet folding down its roof automatically.Although nothing is really left to the imagination Mercedes-Benz has persisted with using camouflage around the rear of the G-Class Cabriolet.It is clear the roof folds automatically and quickly, although not quite as compactly as some might have hoped. Rather than storing itself away neatly behind the rear seats, the folded roof sits as high as the top of the spare wheel cover mounted on the tailgate.Mercedes-Benz has not announced when the G-Class Cabriolet will make its global debut, but it is expected to arrive before the end of this year.CarsGuide has reached out to Mercedes-Benz’s local arm asking for confirmation of the Cabriolet’s arrival and the launch timing Down Under, but the company is yet to respond.The signs are positive for an Australian arrival with Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius saying at the 2025 Munich motor show that the new Cabriolet will be “sold in almost every market around the world”.Details are scarce, but the model in the teaser video appears to be the top-of-the-range twin-turbo V8-powered G63. Buyers of a Cabriolet version can expect to pay a premium over the current hard-top G63, which starts at $368,400 (before on-road costs). The cabriolet body style may only be available in the range-topping G63 specification and if it does come to Australia it will join the line-up, which starts with the diesel powered G 450d before stepping up to the fully electric G 580.Mercedes-Benz introduced a Cabriolet version of its short wheelbase two-door G-Class in 1979 with production running until 2013.  Mercedes-Benz says the reason for the two-door Cabriolet G-Class’s axing was due to low demand and increasing safety requirements.A four-door version was continued to be made but only available in the exotic Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet specification. This was also discontinued in 2018.

We all secretly knew it, but now it's official: Ute and four-wheel-drive owners rarely use their vehicles as intended.Utes and rough-and-tumble 4WDs are some of the best-selling vehicles in the country, and if you have ever spent any time on the road you'll see it is dominated by Ford Rangers, Toyota HiLuxes and Pradoes and a range of newer vehicles such as the BYD Shark 6, GWM Tank 300 and Denza B5.Now new data from Continental tyres shows most high-riding and rough-road-ready vehicles rarely make it out of the suburbs.The survey polled 2000 Australian ute and 4WD owners across the country aged 18-years-old and above.Only 18 per cent of those surveyed said they had used their vehicle’s off-road capabilities frequently, while 22 per cent said they never went 4WDing.A further 21 per cent said they had gone off-road once or twice, and shockingly two per cent said they weren’t even aware of their car’s off-road ability.Of the drivers surveyed, 33 per cent said they take their vehicle off-road every few months, while 22 per cent said they never take their ute or 4WD off-roading. Twenty one per cent said once a year and only six per cent said every weekend,Surprisingly only 22 per cent of respondents said they bought their ute or 4WD for its off-road ability, with towing capacity (21 per cent) and space for the family (20 per cent) also the main reasons for the purchase.But if people aren't going off-road regularly, what are they using them for?The most common use of the vehicle was for grocery runs, with 57 per cent of those polled stating they do that on a weekly basis.This was followed by commuting to work (52 per cent) and weekend getaways (41 per cent).Only 20 per cent said they used the vehicle for camping or off-roading weekly.And the most common off-roading use in suburban areas was to tackle gravel or dirt carparks followed by grassed areas at local parks or sports fields.And the biggest challenge for utes and 4WDs? That’s parking in tight carparks and driving in poor weather conditions, followed by hitting a pothole.

Land Rover is about to axe its cheapest model.The brand will end production of the Discovery Sport luxury mid-size SUV in December 2026 after a more than 11-year run, according to United Kingdom magazine AutoCar.The car is also no longer listed for sale on Land Rover’s Australian website, essentially verifying its imminent departure from the market."Discovery Sport production will end in December 2026, in line with normal product lifecycles," a spokesperson for Land Rover Australia told CarsGuide. "As part of this transition there will be a managed sunset of manufacturing, ahead of this date, for certain markets."It comes with petrol or plug-in hybrid power, starting from $78,454, before on-road costs, with top-spec examples costing in excess of $100,000.The Discovery Sport is a cheaper rival to the Audi Q5 ($81,000) and BMW X3 ($87,300).The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces up to 184kW and 365Nm, while the 1.5-litre-turbo petrol plug-in hybrid set-up produces 227kW and 540Nm.The Discovery Sport has not been a prolific seller for Land Rover, with the more expensive Defender proving to be the brand’s most popular car.The bigger Defender SUV is the key driver of sales for the brand globally, eating into the previously popular Discovery name.Land Rover increased the price of the Discovery Sport by nearly $5000 last year in a minor refresh for the model.It has been one of Land Rover’s longest-running models in production, but the brand is now taking a different direction.Land Rover has hinted at the more rugged Discovery taking on greater responsibility within its lineup as part of a commitment from Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer P.B. Balaji.“Discovery is very much part of our ‘House of Brands’,” Balaji told United Kingdom outlet Auto Express in May 2026.“You should expect to hear from us, future plans on Discovery, sooner rather than later.“We are as committed to the Discovery as any of our other brands.”